Key Starmer adviser held 16 undisclosed meetings with top US tech bosses
Varun Chandra, a key adviser to Prime Minister Keir Starmer, held 16 undisclosed meetings with top US tech executives between October 2024 and October 2025. The meetings, involving companies like Google, Meta, and Amazon, discussed regulatory changes, AI policy, and investment in the UK. Critics have raised concerns about transparency and potential 'lobbying behind closed doors' due to the lack of public disclosure.
- ▪Varun Chandra met with senior executives from Google, Meta, Amazon, Oracle, Apple, and Microsoft without public disclosure.
- ▪During the meetings, Chandra discussed AI policy, regulatory reform, and offered to arrange direct access to the prime minister for tech executives.
- ▪The government promoted AI growth zones and energy subsidies to attract US tech investment, though some promised investments were later found to be overstated or paused.
- ▪Chandra, formerly head of a firm founded by ex-British spies, now serves as chief business adviser and US trade envoy.
- ▪Political advisers like Chandra are not required to publicly declare meetings, unlike ministers and civil servants.
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Chandra, who ran a corporate intelligence firm founded by former British spies, offered to help one executive meet with the PM. Photograph: The Hollywood Reporter/Getty ImagesView image in fullscreenChandra, who ran a corporate intelligence firm founded by former British spies, offered to help one executive meet with the PM. Photograph: The Hollywood Reporter/Getty ImagesTechnology policyKey Starmer adviser held 16 undisclosed meetings with top US tech bossesExclusive: Varun Chandra’s talks with Google, Meta, Apple and others raise fears of ‘lobbying behind closed doors’Tom WallSun 3 May 2026 09.00 EDTLast modified on Sun 3 May 2026 09.01 EDTSharePrefer the Guardian on GoogleAn influential government adviser close to Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves held 16 undisclosed meetings with top US…
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